Re-registration of a child's birth

Re-registering a birth means updating the original birth record to reflect changes in the parents’ legal status or to add missing information. There are two main reasons for re-registration:

1. Re-registration after marriage or civil partnership

If the child’s parents have married or entered into a civil partnership after the birth was registered, the birth should be re-registered to show the child as a child of the marriage or partnership.

What you need to do:

• Complete a re-registration form (available from GOV.UK or your local registration office).
• Send the form along with:
  • The child’s original birth certificate
  • Your marriage or civil partnership certificate
• Send these documents to the registration office where you’d like the appointment (this does not need to be the office where the birth was originally registered).

Once received, the office will contact you to book an appointment. Only one parent needs to attend, although both are welcome.

You can request a new birth certificate showing the updated details.

• The new birth record replaces the original.
• All future birth certificates will be issued from this updated record.

2. Re-registration to add the father's details

If the parents were not married at the time of the birth and the father’s details were not included, you can re-register the birth to add this information and, if desired, change the child’s surname.

What you need to do:

• Complete a re-registration form (available from GOV.UK or your local registration office).
• Send the form along with the child’s birth certificate to the registration office of your choice.

Once received, the office will contact you to book an appointment.
Both parents must attend the appointment.

If both parents cannot attend together, it is possible to:

• Make a statutory declaration before a solicitor or legal witness
• Obtain a court order naming the father

If the child was given the father’s surname at the original registration, it may not be possible to change it back to the mother’s surname through re-registration. You may need to speak to a solicitor about a statutory declaration or deed poll. This will not change the birth register but can be attached to the certificate to show the child is known by a different name.

Fees and certificates

There is no charge for re-registration.

You can purchase a new full birth certificate, which may be needed for official purposes such as passport applications.

Need help?

If you have questions or need support with re-registration, please contact your local registration office or call 0300 111 8001